The FUT was the first hair transplantation procedure to use follicular units of hair. The process involves removing a fairly large piece of skin that contains several hair follicles. The section of scalp is cut out usually at the back of the head, and once removed the individual hair follicular units have to be individually dissected out of the piece of skin.
This does mean that a fairly big scar is left in the region where the hair and skin is cut out. Today the FUE is more commonly done than the FUT since it overcomes this problem, and has less complications and adverse events when compared with the older FUT method of hair transplantation. For full information on hair transplant Turkey visit Vera Clinic to find out more about the differences between the FUT and FUE and to see which method would be best for you.
A study published in 2014 looked at the types and extent of complications with primarily the FUT method of hair transplantation.
FUT complications
Some of the complications from hair transplant procedures can be due indirectly to the patients themselves. For example, patients who are taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are at significantly higher risk of bleeding complications than patients who are not taking such medications. This is why it is crucial that people inform their physician of all medicine they are taking including over-the-counter drugs.
Swelling was found to be the most common complication of hair restoration surgery even when steroid medications were used. Other problems that are specifically associated with the strip harvesting method of FUT are the development of cross hatched type of scarring and also keloid type scars. If too wide a piece is taken this also was shown to substantially increase the risk of a patient developing bacterial folliculitis which is an infection.
Other complications with the FUT are the possibility of accidental cutting of nerves and blood vessels and even the individual hair follicles themselves. These can all lead to complications in the future for the patient in the area where the piece of tissue was taken from.
The FUE can also have complications but the risk is somewhat lower because only small incisions are made into the scalp and the follicular units are removed individually not in a large piece of skin. However, if you are in poorer health and you do not inform your hair loss specialist of what medications or health issues you have, then you will be placing yourself at increased risk of adverse events regardless of what hair transplant surgery you choose to have done. Patients who choose the FUE are usually at a lower risk of complications but you do need to pay attention to the advice given by your hair transplant specialist on how to prepare for the procedure and what to do afterward.
Your hair loss specialist can advise you on what steps to take to avoid unwanted side effects and complications of your chosen hair restoration surgery.
